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What are the Visa Requirements for Yoga Teachers & Coaches coming to Bali and running retreats and courses?
To put it in plain and simple words, there is no (easy-to-get) visa available in Indonesia that would allow yoga teachers and other coaches to come to Bali for a few weeks and run paid retreats, events, and courses.
Yet, many yoga teachers and coaches for all kinds of courses and retreats have used Bali for decades to invite their clients and followers to participate in their programs. There are plenty of retreat centers, hotels, and guest houses that are specialized in hosting these groups. Bali, and particularly Ubud, are known worldwide for some of the best yoga, health, and spiritual retreats.
Usually, the coaches and teachers do not live in Indonesia, organize and market their retreats abroad, and also get paid abroad. They arrive in Bali “as tourists” and after the event is over, return back to their home country.
This is problematic on several levels and raises legal questions in reference to visa regulations and tax issues, even if it is a common practice.
Common Visa Violations and Issues for yoga Teachers and Coaches in Bali
Many yoga and fitness instructors come to Bali using tourist visas to conduct retreats and courses, which is not legally permissible. Here are the primary issues and consequences associated with visa misuse:
Visa Misuse:
Tourist Visa Limitations & Violations
Tourist visas do not allow for any form of work, including teaching yoga or fitness classes. Violations occur when instructors use these visas to conduct paid work such as retreats and workshops. Even if the payment is done outside of Indonesia. The fulfilment of the work does happen in Indonesia.
Teaching classes, conducting retreats, or engaging in any income-generating activities on a tourist visa are frequent violations even though the majority of yoga instructors and retreat organisers do that. eans they are actually working and operating a business in Indonesia without a legal permit and without paying any taxes.
Instructors need a proper work visa (KITAS) to legally engage in these activities.
Legal Consequences:
Deportation, Fines and Blacklisting: Instructors caught working without the proper visa face immediate deportation, hefty fines, and potential blacklisting from re-entering Indonesia. Indonesian immigration authorities are strict about these regulations, and there are task forces dedicated to identifying and addressing visa violations.
Increased Risk & Scrutiny:
Enhanced Monitoring: The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration uses various tools, including the APOA app and social media, to track and report the activities of foreigners.
Indonesia’s immigration enforcement policies are increasingly monitored and controlled by the officials.
Immigration officers do ask more regularly at the immigration counter, about the purpose of the visit. Of course, anybody can lie, but because Yoga retreats for example can easily be found in the internet it is easy for officers to find out, if someone is actually conducting retreats or entering into Indonesia indeed as a tourist
The Correct Visa for Yoga and Fitness Instructors for Bali / Indonesia
To legally work as a yoga or fitness instructor in Bali, you need a proper work visa known as KITAS (Limited Stay Permit) under the business classification of SPORTS AND RECREATION EDUCATION SERVICES.
Work KITAS (Limited Stay Permit):
Working:
An Indonesian company would need to employ you and also sponsor you for that purpose. That would only make sense if also this company (let’s say the retreat center) would charge the participants and therefore create income in Indonesia, with taxes paid in Indonesia, and the Yoga teacher would get a “salary” which is also taxed and properly paid out.
For many this is not a path they want to go, but it is the one that is legal and would also make sure taxes are paid in Indonesia.
Application Process:
You need a company that hires you. Some visa agents do have companies for that purpose.
Offshore Application: Typically takes 3 weeks for the e-Visa and an additional 10 days to convert to KITAS upon arrival in Bali.
Onshore Application: Takes about 1.5 to 2 months to process within Indonesia.
Costs::
Offshore Application: Approximately USD 1000, plus a USD 100 monthly tax and an additional USD 150 fee.
Onshore Application: Slightly higher due to additional processing fees. And you need to arrive (or have arrived) with a 211A Visit Visa first (not a Visa on Arrival)
Tax Obligations: KITAS holders are required to file a tax report and pay taxes on income generated through their work in Indonesia.
No Simple Solution for teachers and facilitators to run retreats and courses in Bali
The process of obtaining a KITAS can be expensive and time-consuming. Of course any instructor has to weigh the costs and effort against the potential income and duration of your retreat or course.
There is no straightforward visa solution for short-term yoga and fitness retreats, leading many instructors to risk using tourist visas despite the potential consequences. A KITAS takes time and is not really suitable for short visits. And, tax evation. Like any country in the world, also Indonesia does not like people making money without paying taxes and declaring properly.
Is it Risky to Enter as a Coach with a Tourist Visa?
There have been instances of yoga teachers and other expatriates being deported from Bali due to visa violations. It does happen that foreign yoga teachers are deported for holding classes and workshops without the necessary work permit.
The Indonesian government has stated over and over in the local press, that they will take firm actions against foreigners who violate their tourist visas.
